Neither pouring rain nor the current fuel cri­sis could stop the seventh annual Tractor­thon from taking to the Canowindra Show­ground last weekend in support of sick country kids.

The event, hosted by Central West Chari­ty Tractor Trek Group Inc saw a fleet of trac­tors complete a total of 1,920 laps around the Canowindra Showground, covering a staggering 1,536km in the 24 hour period.

The 400 litres of fuel required to keep the tractors rolling through the night was gen­erously provided by Road and Rail. The event also could not have occurred without strong community support and a team of 60 volunteers who drove through the night or worked tirelessly in the catering tent to keep everyone fed and warm.

Funds directly support Little Wings, a children’s charity that provides free, profes­sional and safe flight and ground transpor­tation for sick children and their families liv­ing in regional and remote areas.

Enough money was raised on the week­end to directly fund 10 missions to transport central west children to medical treatment in Sydney. With each mission now costing an average $2,200, this is a remarkable achievement – well done to all who partici­pated!

Registrations are now open for this year’s Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Break­fast Forum, which will be held at Club Forbes on Thursday the 11th of June.

Local farmers, contract harvesters, cou­riers, truck drivers and transport company operators are invited to attend.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, who is organising the forum said this year’s event will focus on legislation and policy updates, access im­provements, safety, compliance, an indus­try case study and more.

“Since its inception in 2012, the breakfast forum has brought together the local freight industry to discuss issues affecting them.

“Come along to listen, learn and ask questions of industry experts from NHVR, Transport for NSW, Parkes Shire Council, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Coun­cil, NTI, NatRoad, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police.

“The topics include; HVNL Reform 2026, Transport for NSW Freight Branch update, access improvements, NTARC Accident Report, NatRoad’s Truckies First Aid Pro­gram, mental health and a Q & A with NSW Police,” Ms Suitor said.

You can register online with this link: htt­ps://www.trybooking.com/DMCAS, via the Councils’ Facebook pages or alternatively you can call Ms Suitor on 6861 2364.

The forum will kick off at 6.30am with breakfast. The official program starts at 7am. The event will finish at 11.30am.

The forum is free, but registration is re­quired for catering purposes. If you are unable to make it on the day, the event is being recorded and the link to the video will be shared on the Councils’ Facebook pages and in follow-up media articles or contact Ms Suitor to register your interest in receiving the link.

Let me share a story that’s close to home.

When Emma was just 3 years old, she was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis.

This was long before the NDIS existed.

Long before Telehealth. Her family travelled from Yeoval to Dubbo twice a week for Ear­ly Intervention appointments. Speech ther­apy. Occupational Therapy. Assessments.

Support. And honestly? It sounds like it took a whole village.

There would have been exhaustion. Long car rides. Rearranged schedules. Financial pressure. Siblings shuffled around. The emotional weight of trying to do the very best for a child you love deeply.

But her family kept showing up. Because when you love a child, you do whatever it takes.

Now, Emma has just turned 40. She lives independently, zips around Dubbo in her little red car, and her checkout line at Woolworths is always the longest because everybody wants to talk to Emma.

She remembers people’s names. Their dog’s names. She is witty, funny, social and deeply loved by her community.

Emma, is my beloved sister-in-law.

And I think watching Emma’s journey un­fold as a brothe shaped Luke deeply, too.

He has a glimmer of understanding of what sits behind every appointment of the families who come to see us at Keirn Health — the hope, the advocacy, the exhaustion and the love.

It’s something we think about often at Kerin Health.

And this is the WHY behind Kerin Health.

Because early intervention matters. Not just for milestones. But for confidence.

Connection. Independence. Quality of life.

Sometimes I think about the therapists, teachers and support people who helped shape Emma’s life all those years ago.

The therapists. The teachers. The family members. The people who believed in her future.

And what an incredible privilege it is that we, at Kerin Health, now get to be that sup­port for other families, too.

We are currently opening additional ap­pointments for Speech Pathology and Oc­cupational Therapy, both face-to-face and via Telehealth, for families across the Cen­tral West.

And if something in your gut has been telling you your child may need extra sup­port, please know you don’t have to navi­gate that alone.

Royal Far West supports Little Wings in its call for urgent, targeted funding support dur­ing the current fuel crisis, to ensure that they can continue supplying aeromedical trans­port services, especially to families in rural and remote communities.

Royal Far West partners with Little Wings through its Medical Wings program to de­liver specialist outreach clinics directly into regional communities several times each year. Little Wings also supports approxi­mately 40 per cent of all families travelling to Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids in Manly, with three to five families relying on the service every week.

The current aviation fuel crisis has cre­ated extraordinary and unsustainable pres­sure on Little Wings’ operating costs. With­out urgent intervention, there is a real risk that flights may need to be reduced or sus­pended.

“The past few months have been really heartbreaking. We are doing the best we can with the resources we have, but we’ve cut our capacity and will have to reduce our services even further if the avgas contin­ues to go up,” Clare Pearson, CEO of Little Wings, said.

“Little Wings eases the pressure on these families. The fuel crisis is tearing that lifeline to shreds, leaving them without a backup, and we need swift support to keep our op­erations running,” she added.

“The consequences for rural and remote families would have an immediate impact.

Delayed diagnoses, missed treatments, and reduced access to specialist services would widen existing inequities for children who al­ready face significant challenges accessing care.” said Dr Briony Scott, CEO of Royal Far West.

The partnership between Royal Far West and Little Wings is critical in ensuring coun­try children can access specialist care, re­gardless of where they live. Your support means country kids can connect with the care they need, when they need it. Donate today at www.royalfarwest.org.au/ways-to-give/

Over recent sitting weeks, I have continued advocating strongly for the Orange electorate and Central West in the NSW Parliament.

I raised concerns about the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, calling for greater support for affected businesses and communities, increased tourism recovery funding, and urgent repairs to restore this vital transport link.

I also spoke against proposed renewable energy legislation changes that could further fast-track major projects without adequate community consultation, and questioned the Government over a reported $422 million shortfall in Restart NSW funding intended for regional infrastructure.

In addition, I lodged a Notice of Motion seeking a dedicated funding program for mining-affected regional councils to help address the significant infrastructure and service demands these communities face.

I remain committed to fighting for fair funding, stronger services, better infrastructure and practical outcomes for our regional communities.

Men’s Mental Months

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years, it’s that most blokes are pretty good at looking after everyone else before they look after themselves.

Whether it’s work, family, sport, the farm, the business or helping out in the community, many men put their own health and wellbeing at the bottom of the list. Too often we ignore that niggling health issue, put off the check-up, or keep our struggles to ourselves because we think we should just get on with it.

Men’s Health Month is a timely reminder that there’s nothing weak about asking for help, talking to a mate, booking a health check, or taking the time to look after your physical and mental wellbeing. In fact, it takes strength.

Across Orange and the Central West, I regularly hear from men facing challenges with their health, access to services, mental wellbeing, isolation and the pressures of everyday life. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting initiatives that encourage connection, conversation and healthier communities.

It was the driving force behind the Gettin’-A-Grip Men’s Health Event, to bring together local health professionals, community organisations and everyday people for a morning focused on mateship, wellbeing and breaking down the stigma that too often stops men from speaking up.

My message this Men’s Health Month is simple: check in with yourself, check in with your mates, and don’t put off looking after your health. A conversation, a check-up or reaching out for support could make all the difference.

Because looking after yourself isn’t just important for you – it’s important for the people who care about you too.